The Miami Heat are going to need Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade to take less money in order to keep their Big Three intact. LeBron James will likely command something very close to a maximum contract, and deservedly so. If the Big Three all return, those crazy rumors about the Heat potentially signing Carmelo Anthony will disappear. But what if Bosh leaves?
Bosh has reportedly been offered a max contract from the Houston Rockets, and there has been word that he may prefer that over taking a pay cut to stay with the Heat. And if he does, there might be an opportunity for LeBron and Carmelo to join forces in Miami. Marc Berman of the New York Post has more:
However, that scenario became trickier with Miami agreeing to terms with Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger on Monday, though not impossible. If Wade takes a significant pay cut, Riley can be creative in fitting James and his buddy Anthony under the salary cap.
The Lakers, too, would have to be creative in fitting in James and Anthony. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak met with James’ agent in Cleveland on Friday and their pie-in-the-sky plan was adding both stars and creating more cap space by dealing Steve Nash’s contract.
Having LeBron, Carmelo and Kobe Bryant on the same team seems way too over-the-top to even consider. However, Anthony could feasibly end up in Miami if he was desperate enough to play alongside LeBron. He would have to take much less money than the New York Knicks are willing to offer, but stranger things have happened and teams are reportedly talking about it.
Popular question raised by last five teams I've talked to: Is Melo holding out in hopes Bosh goes to Houston so he can join LeBron in Miami?
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 8, 2014
While I’m sure the thought of playing with LeBron excites ‘Melo, I don’t see why he would want to do that. Anthony was supposed to rescue the Knicks and lead his team to a championship. If he teamed with LeBron, he’d just be along for the ride.
